Inflammatory Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Our immune system is designed to defend our bodies against infection and inflammation, but occasionally the immune system becomes too active and gets confused, meaning that it attacks the wrong things, often your own body.
There is no real single reason for the onset of Inflammatory Arthritis, but they all are long-term conditions and have no cure. But this doesn’t mean that this has to spell the end of you being active!
This condition primarily affects the joints and back, causing pain, inflammation, and eventual joint damage. It affects over 400,000 adults aged 16 and over in the UK. It can affect anyone of any age. It can progress quickly, so early diagnosis and intensive treatment are important. The sooner you start treatment, the more effective it’s likely to be.
The condition most commonly affects joints in the hands, wrists, knees, and feet, as well as the back, but it can involve any joint in the body. Unlike Osteoarthritis, which is more common with age, Inflammatory Arthritis can affect individuals at any age, although it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60, sometimes even in your 20s.
There are various different types of Inflammatory Arthritis and the most common are
There are several factors that can contribute to Inflammatory Arthritis.
Genetics: A family history increases the risk of developing the condition. Certain genes are thought to make individuals more susceptible to developing Inflammatory Arthritis.Gender: Women are at a higher risk, especially those between the ages of 30 and 60, likely due to hormonal differences.Age: While Inflammatory Arthritis can develop at any age, it most commonly affects people in their middle age, although it can also occur in children.Smoking: Smoking is one of the most significant environmental risk factors, particularly in people who have a genetic predisposition to this type of ArthritisInfections: Certain viral or bacterial infections may trigger Inflammatory Arthritis in genetically predisposed individuals.To arrange a callback for a FREE chat with a Physiotherapist at Relive Physiotherapy in Chester, please click on the button and we can discuss your best options.
Request CallbackThe different types of Inflammatory Arthritis usually begin gradually and the symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They are often characterised by flare-ups and remission. There are a number of common symptoms.
Joint Pain and Tenderness: Pain in the affected joints is one of the most common symptoms of Inflammatory Arthritis. This pain is usually symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body (for example, both wrists or knees). The pain can be persistent and may worsen with activity or in the morning.Swelling and Redness: Inflammation in the joints can cause visible swelling, making the skin over the affected joint red and warm to the touch.Stiffness: Joint stiffness, particularly in the morning or after sitting for long periods, is common. This stiffness can last for hours and can significantly impair mobility.Fatigue: Many individuals experience fatigue due to the constant inflammation and the body’s immune system being in overdrive.Decreased Range of Motion: Over time, inflammation and joint damage can limit the movement of affected joints. This can make performing simple tasks such as opening a door or holding objects difficult.Joint Deformities: If it is left untreated or poorly controlled, it can lead to joint deformities, particularly in the hands and feet. These deformities can permanently impact a person's ability to move and function.
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At Relive Physiotherapy, there are a variety of different treatments that can help you regain your independence and move around freely again. Depending on how advanced your symptoms are, we have the right plan for you.
Our expert Physiotherapists can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life, which is why our clients truly believe that we are Chester’s Best Clinic for Arthritis Pain.
Relive Physiotherapy plays a vital role in any treatment and management of Arthritis or Arthritis symptoms. Osteoarthritis is a condition that breaks down the cartilage in your joints over time, which causes pain, stiffness and reduces your mobility. One of our Specialist Physiotherapists can help alleviate your symptoms, restore the function of your joints and improve your quality of life without the need for invasive procedures, such as surgery or painkillers.
We can use a variety of different techniques to help you.
Manual Therapy includes hands-on techniques, where we use our hands to manipulate your joints. We aim to reduce the pain, improve your joint function and restore your natural movement patterns.Stretching – we will guide you through specific stretches that are tailored to you and your abilities, targeting the muscles and tissues around any affected joint. We will help restore your flexibility, to ensure that activities such as walking, standing or bending over become easier.
Joint Mobilisations are passive movements that we do on the joint to improve your flexibility and reduce any stiffness that you might have. These mobilisations are typically slow and controlled, which gradually increases the range of motion.Active Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises are where we guide you through gentle exercises that encourage the joint to move through its normal range. These prevent further joint stiffness, maintain joint mobility and strengthen the surrounding muscles to support the joint.Strengthening Exercises focus on building your muscle strength to support the joint and improve your overall joint function. In the case of knee Osteoarthritis, strengthening the quadriceps (front thigh muscles) can help reduce the load on the knee joint. Similarly, strengthening the muscles around the hip and spine helps with stability and reduces pain during movement.Functional Strengthening focuses on functional exercises that mimic real-life activities. These can include squats, lunges, and other movements that target joint support in daily activities. Functional exercises also help increase endurance for walking, standing, or climbing stairs.Core Strengthening A strong core plays a crucial role in maintaining proper posture, which can prevent excess strain on the joints, especially the lower back, hips, and knees. Core strengthening exercises such as planks, bridges, and abdominal exercises are integrated into a treatment plan to improve overall stability.Kinesiology Taping provides support to the joint, improves circulation, and reduces swelling. The tape lifts the skin slightly, which reduces pressure on the lymphatic system and enhances fluid drainage.
Acupuncture helps Osteoarthritis by reducing pain, inflammation, and improving joint mobility. It works by stimulating specific points on the body, which triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. This can reduce discomfort and muscle stiffness. Acupuncture also improves blood flow to the affected area, aiding in healing and reducing inflammation. Overall, it can help enhance joint function and quality of life when used alongside.
Customised Orthotics (hyperlink to Sneha’s Orthotics blog) are often recommended by Physiotherapists as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for Osteoarthritis (OA), especially for people who have it on the lower joints of their bodies, such as in the knees, hips, or feet. These devices play a crucial role in providing support, alleviating pain, and improving mobility.Injection Therapy (hyperlink to Injection Therapy page) is often complementary to Physiotherapy for people who have Osteoarthritis. Two of the most commonly used injection types are Hyaluronic Acid Injections (add hyperlink to Hyaluronic Acid Page) and Corticisteroid Injections (hyperlink to Steroid Injection Page) . Both offer relief from pain and inflammation, but they work in different ways and are often used for different purposes depending on the severity of the condition and the symptoms.
Want to know how our specialised team at the Relive Physiotherapy Clinic in Chester can help you live without arthritic pain?
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Rheumatoid Arthritis affects women more than men and is most common in women between 40 and 60 years of age, but you can get it at any age. It generally affects your hands and feet and about 1% of the total UK population has it. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a leading cause for long-term disability.
Psoriatic Arthritis also affects your joints, but, unlike Rheumatoid Arthritis, it can also affect your back. As the name suggests, the majority of people who have this form of Arthritis also have Psoriasis (a form of rash or silvery/ flaky skin) which accompanies the swelling of the joints. People with Psoriatic Arthritis often get ‘sausage-like’ fingers and toes.
Ankylosing Spondylitis affects your back, and, due to the complexity of its symptoms, it is often misdiagnosed. It is more common in men than in women and, if it is managed poorly, can lead to a loss of spinal mobility and a reduction in function. Early diagnosis is vital to be able to offset any later damage.
Lupus is an inflammatory connective tissue disorder that affects joints, skin and internal organs. It is most common in women aged 15-45, but it can occur at any age in life. You can recognise it because some of the symptoms are Arthritis, Muscle Inflammation, a rash on your face that looks like a butterfly, sensitivity to light and ulcers. The earlier this is diagnosed and treated, the higher the chances of reducing severe disability.you.
